Alphonsus Liguori, the Saint and His Feast

Depending on your particular calendar, today or yesterday was the feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), a great saint and Doctor of the Church who founded the Redemptorists and wrote on the spiritual life. I particularly enjoy his Way of the Cross and a short book (pamphlet, really) called How to Converse Continually and Familiarly with God.

Yesterday I found myself at Saint Joseph church for Mass. The readings chosen for the Saint’s feast particularly struck me in this time of transition in my own parish.

In particular, I commend to you the reading and contemplation of the Epistle, 2 Timothy 2:1-7:

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

And if you want it even more to the point, the Offertory antiphon says:

Honor the Lord with thy substance, and give Him of the first of all thy fruits. Do not withold him from doing good who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.

These were words I needed to hear.

Three years ago yesterday, our parish of Holy Rosary was host to a young woman named Kara Jackson. Her goal was to serve at the altar in all fifty states. I haven’t been able to find any recent news on Kara, but I sincerely hope she was successful in her mission.

Do not withold him from doing good who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.